An insight into Gatland’s men

STEVE BORTHWICK

Age: 37. Born: Carlisle. Current job: England forwards coach.

Playing career: Made almost 400 appearances for Bath and Saracens, captaining Bath to European Challenge Cup final success in 2008 and Saracens to Premiership title glory three years later. Won 57 England caps, making his Test debut against France during the 2001 Six Nations.

Coaching career: Borthwick began his coaching work while still a Saracens player. He became forwards coach with Japan, working alongside Eddie Jones and culminating in the Brave Blossoms’ memorable 2015 World Cup campaign. After Jones was appointed England head coach a year ago, he brought Borthwick on board as forwards specialist .

ANDY FARRELL

Age: 41. Born: Wigan. Current job: Ireland defence coach.

Playing career: Started playing rugby league at the age of 10 - then made his debut for Wigan just six years later. Farrell became a full league international, aged 18, and went on to win 34 Great Britain caps, make 11 England appearances and play 370 times for Wigan.

Coaching career: Farrell became Saracens first-team coach in 2010 after initially impressing as skills coach. A year later, the Rugby Football Union announced that Farrell would be joining the England set-up, led by Stuart Lancaster, and that role later became permanent when he was offered a long-term contract. Toured with the Lions to Australia in 2013 as defence coach.

ROB HOWLEY

Age: 46. Born: Bridgend. Current job: Wales interim head coach.

Playing career: An outstanding scrum-half who possessed searing pace, Howley played for his hometown club Bridgend, Cardiff and latterly Wasps, where he was a key part of European Cup and Premiership title-winning teams under head coach Warren Gatland. Howley also played 59 times for Wales.

Coaching career: After hanging up his boots, Howley coached Cardiff RFC before being named Wales attack coach in 2008 following Gatland’s appointment as Wales boss. Wales won the Six Nations title and Grand Slam in Gatland’s first season, while Howley became interim head coach in 2012-13 when Gatland took charge of the Lions, and led Wales to another Six Nations crown. Howley was part of the coaching team at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, when Wales were semi-finalists and quarter-finalists.